24/07/2015 - Last Monday the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, general of the air squad Pasquale Preziosa, greeted the cap. pilot Samantha Cristoforetti, for the first time in Italy after returning from space on 11 June last.

General Preziosa congratulated the officer for the activities conducted during the "Future" Mission, for the results obtained and for the world record of continuous stay in space for a woman of 200 days. Especially for proving that making dreams come true is possible.

On the International Space Station, chap. Cristoforetti has been engaged in over 200 scientific experiments, conducted under microgravity conditions. Of these 10 projects of scientific research and technological demonstration entirely Italian, conceived and developed by universities, research centers, companies and SMEs.

Training in the Aeronautical Academy of astronauts from the Italian Air Force is the result of continuous improvement, from training in the operational departments to the daily use of advanced and innovative technologies. A process in constant evolution and change with respect to the challenges of the Armed Forces.

"Expanding activities to improve leadership, emphasizing teamwork and encouraging rapprochement with operational reality can improve training"indicated the captain with reference to his experience in space.

During the meeting, the cap. Cristoforetti reported that "From space the Earth is like a moving spaceship that welcomes humanity". "We must strive to preserve it, keep it clean and use resources in a sustainable way" added the Chief of Staff of the Air Force.

Subsequently the cap. Cristoforetti was received by the president of the sen. Sergio Mattarella and the president of the council of ministers Matteo Renzi, accompanied by gen. Precious, by the president of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), prof. Roberto Battiston and the representative of the European Space Agency (ESA), ing. Elena Grifoni Winters.

During the meeting at the Quirinale, President Mattarella presented Captain Cristoforetti with the honor of Knight of the Grand Cross of the Order "Al Merito della Repubblica Italiana". 

The chap. pilot of the Italian Air Force Samantha Cristoforetti is an ESA astronaut and was the protagonist of the second long-term mission of the ASI "Futura".

Source: General Office for Communication AM - Rome